MSC orders two more World Class ships

MSC Cruises has announced firm contracts for two more World Class ships as well plans to develop new prototypes, including vessels operated by wind power.

The third and fourth World Class ships will join be delivered in 2025 and 2027 and will be constructed at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire.

The first of the initial two ships in the class is currently under construction at the shipyard and is due to enter service in 2022.

In addition, MSC Cruises and Chantiers de l'Atlantique have extended their partnership over the next decade with two additional projects.

First, the companies signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the development of another new prototype class of LNG-powered cruise ships to operate under the MSC Cruises brand.

A second MoU sees MSC Cruises partnering with Chantiers de l'Atlantique in the development of another innovative prototype ship class concept with which they will explore opportunities that wind power and other advanced technologies could bring to passenger shipping.

The three agreements signed today represent an investment in excess of €6.5 billion.

"They stem from an exceptional partnership, with Chantiers de l'Atlantique, that has already delivered 15 highly-innovative innovative cruise ships over the past two decades and will see many more vessels come to life at Saint-Nazaire's docks in the next 10 years.

"They also confirm this industry's commitment to environmental sustainability, in this case helping the French national industry further position itself as a world leader in the development of next-generation technologies and other solutions."